South Korea has commenced the development of a homegrown interceptor system similar to Israel’s renowned Iron Dome.
Initially announced in 2021, the multi-layered air defense system was conceived to counter North Korea’s long-range artillery threats. At the time, the government said it would earmark up to 2.89 trillion won ($2.56 billion) for the ambitious project.
However, a recent update from South Korea’s arms procurement agency revealed that Seoul plans to invest only 479.8 billion won ($329 million) by 2028 for the so-called Low-Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD) system, which aims to intercept incoming artillery rounds.
Designed for rapid deployment, the LAMD system is expected to protect key military facilities from potential North Korean attacks.
Defense contractors LIG Nex1, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Systems are all contributing to the project.
Israel’s Iron Dome
While specifics on the South Korean LAMD system remain sparse, its Iron Dome-inspired design suggests it will be focused on intercepting low-altitude, short-range threats.
Israel’s Iron Dome has been operational since 2011, serving as a standalone defense system or as part of a multi-layered air defense.
Each Iron Dome battery includes three or four launchers, each loaded with 20 Tamir interceptor missiles.
The system is capable of defeating a wide range of threats, including cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, precision-guided munitions, drones, and low-flying aircraft, at distances exceeding 70 kilometers (43 miles).
Iron Dome developers claim a 90-percent success rate for the weapon, having intercepted over 5,000 hostile rockets.
The South Korean LAMD system is expected to significantly enhance the country’s defense capabilities, especially given North Korea’s substantial long-range artillery arsenal, which is within striking distance of Seoul.
